Today, we are launching Always Open on eBay to support our sellers who also own physical retail stores, helping them showcase their products, attract new customers, and grow their business. Participating retailers receive branded collateral for their physical space that promotes their eBay store, where their customers can shop at any time, and from anywhere.
As the retail industry undergoes a transformation, and the lines between online and offline shopping continue to blur, many physical stores face increasing challenges, particularly those that are small and medium-sized businesses. In fact, more stores shut their doors in 2017 than any other year on record, according to a recent study by UBS.
Driving traffic, and ultimately sales, is the overarching concern of most retailers. So how do eBay sellers, many of whom are small businesses and local entrepreneurs with physical stores, keep up as technology rapidly alters the retail landscape?
“We’re sharply focused on helping our sellers solve their most pressing challenges,” eBay VP of Global Trust and Seller Experience Bob Kupbens said. “We believe that Always Open is one way we can further enable our seller community and drive incremental traffic and sales to their businesses on eBay.”
eBay exists as a commerce platform to empower entrepreneurs of all kinds. The company has continued to introduce enhancements and provide tools to its sellers to support them and their businesses.
A similar example of how eBay is harnessing technology on behalf of small businesses is a recently launched effort, Retail Revival, that will leverage eBay’s global marketplace to support and drive local business development in Akron, Ohio. Together, we see Always Open and Retail Revival as complementary initiatives that share a common goal of economic empowerment.
“I’ve been an eBay seller for almost a decade, and it’s great that I can co-brand my store with eBay and drive additional sales,” said Brad Woehl, owner of San Francisco-based American Cyclery. “Our store has definitely experienced a decline in customers coming through our door in recent years. Partnering with eBay has made the difference between us just surviving and us actually prospering as a business.”
Always Open on eBay is launching with 30 sellers based in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area and is offered at no cost to sellers. If you are an existing eBay seller with a physical retail store – or a retail store who has not yet brought your business online – and are interested in learning more about this program, please visit ebay.com/alwaysopen.